A NATIONAL Trust boss sparked outrage last night by claiming they should never have taken on the childhood homes of two of the Beatles.

A NATIONAL Trust boss sparked outrage last night by claiming they should never have taken on the childhood homes of two of the Beatles.

Head curator Tim Knox says the houses where John Lennon and Sir Paul McCartney grew up will never be financially viable.

Last night, Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, who purchased dips for the trust, said she was "surprised and saddened" by the attack.

Mr Knox claims Mendips in Menlove Avenue, Allerton, is dingy and that neither house meets the financial and historical criteria normally imposed on Trust properties, and says he was "furious" when he knew they had been acquired.

Interviewed for a BBC television programme, he said: "For some reason, anything to do with the Beatles seems to be able to go through the National Trust innocent of its normal controls.

"Any other property has to go through finance, and we ask is it under threat?

"The minute a member of the Beatles turns up, people seem to roll over on to their backs and say 'Yeah, we'll take it'.

"Now are we going to take on four properties so that Ringo does not feel left out?"

Mr Knox claimed the Menlove Avenue home was not a financially-viable acquisition.

He said: "I was furious when that property got taken.

"Everyone knows that Mendips will never pay its way. In fact, Forthlin Road won't even pay its way.

"They are publicity coups, not really serious acquisitions and if I suppose they can be justified in terms of that, fair enough but it is not really what the National Trust was set up for.

"It is better presented than Forthlin Road was and they have achieved a certain kind of post-war dinge which suits the place and actually seems to tickle the people who visit.

"Harmless but kind of expensive harmless."

Yoko Ono, who presented the house to the National Trust, said she was saddened.

She said: "I am very surprised that someone within the National Trust is making such negative comments about the Trust.

"It is especially sad because his comments are quite simply not true." The National Trust has also hit back at Mr Knox's claims, saying visitor numbers have already exceeded expectations.

Around 7,000 visitors had taken part in the joint tour with Sir Paul's former home in Forth-lin Road, Allerton.

This is an increase of 148pc since 2002 when only Forthlin Road was open.

The National Trust is now considering increasing its tours to keep up with demand.

David Porter, area manager for Merseyside, Lancashire & South Cumbria, said: "Mendips itself is of enormous interest, not only because of John Lennon, but also for that period of social history, which it perfectly encapsulates.

"Many visitors have commented on that aspect alone, regardless of whether or not they are Beatles fans.

"The National Trust is charged with looking after all aspects of our heritage - both ancient and recent history - and both have as important a part to play.

"Also, contrary to the message given out in the film, Mendips & Forthlin Road have been tremendously successful this year."

Disagreements over the acquisition of Mendips and the struggle to have the house completed on schedule is the subject of a BBC4 documentary due to be screened tomorrow night at 8pm.

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